Officials from Tusla and the Department of justice were before the public accounts committee in recent weeks. Tusla alerted us to concerns it has in respect of its capacity to carry out age verifications for unaccompanied minors in the international protection application system. It seems, at a policy level, that it is being left to Tusla to carry out these age verifications, whereas as a matter of law, there is at least some doubt as to what body is actually legally responsible for doing so. None of the officials from the Department of Justice, when they were before us, was able to tell us who was legally responsible, and although they indicated they would come back to us immediately, that has not happened.

There is to be change under new laws but there is an ongoing concern that adults may be mingling with children in an unaccompanied-minor setting. I say this without prejudice to live issues before the courts. There is an issue that needs to be clarified and dealt with swiftly.

Certainly, there is an issue with age verification for those who present as minors when they come into the country unaccompanied. Tusla has articulated that concern. It is not a simple issue to resolve because the initial response has been a humanitarian response. If someone presents as an unaccompanied minor, the obligation on Tusla is to make sure that they at least receive accommodation and some shelter. Tusla is criticised if something untoward happens and so on. It is a very serious issue. I will talk to the Minister for justice in respect of it. Again, it is in the context of migration and possibly trafficking. We do not always know what is occurring, but there is certainly an issue regarding the potential mixing of adults with young minors. That is a problem. Other issues can also arise.